Wheel disk mounting



April 22, 1941. G. A. LYON 2,239,367

WHEEL msx uoxmnnd Filed June 4, i958 's sheets-sheet 1. V

l A i41 Ez/E @gezet/h eener rpm v April 22, 1941. G. A. LYON 2,239,367

WHEEL DISK MOUNTING Filed June 4, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E' DF Greece Laser rom APri 22 1941- G. A.' LYON 2,239,367 WHEEL DISK MOUNTING Filgd June 4, 19:58 s sheets-sheet 3 l x s tw y @foe ce fa 55er YUM Patented Apr. 22, 1941 IUNITED STATES PATENTV oFrlcE WHEEL msx MOUNTING y George Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N. J.

Application June 4, 1938, Serial No. 211,778

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a wheel assembly, and more particularly to a novel wheel disk mounting.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel wheel assembly.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel wheel disk mounting `for detachably securing an ornamental wheel disk to a vehicle wheel.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel wheel disk mounting including dual sets of fastening fingers.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel arrangement for seating a wheel disk on a vehicle wheel.

Another and further object of this invention is to provide a novel wheel disk lift spring fasten-` ing element.

Another and still further object of this invention is to provide novel means for detachably securing and centering, a wheel disk on a vehicle wheel.

The novel features which -I believe to be char,- acteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and manner of construction, together with lfurther objects and. advantages thereof, may .best be understood by reference to the following descrip- .tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a vehicle wheel with an ornamental wheel disk mounted thereon, a portion of the wheel disk being broken away to show one of the wheel disk fastening elements carried by the rim of the wheel;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational view of the wheel assembly shown in Figure 1 as taken along the line II-lI thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one of the outer spring elements in the wheel assembly;

Figure 4 is anenlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing a modified form of spring element;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing a further modified. form of spring element;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing a still further modified form of spring element; i

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a Wheel and hub cap showing the novel means by which the hub cap is secured and centered in place on the body part of the wheel;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional elevational view the central attaching skirt of the wheel disk is.

. not seated on the body part of the wheel;

'shanks of the wheel fastening bolts 2|.

vFigure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the outer spring fasteningelement shown in Figure 8; and

Figure 1-0 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 9 showing a modified form of wheel disk and spring mounting therefor.

Referring to the first embodiment of my invention which is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown therein a wheel assembly comprising a hub I0, a brake drum II, a wheel body part I2, a drop-center rim I3, and an ornamental wheel disk I4. The hub I0 is provided with a radial iiange I5 having a recessed marginal portion I6 which is adapted to seat the radial fastening flange I'I of the brake drum II.

The radial iiange I5 of. the hub I0 is provided with an annular series of apertures I8 which are internally threaded for receiving the threaded shank of the brake drum mounting bolts I9. 'Ihe radial fiange I5 of hub I0 is also provided with a second annular series of apertures 20 spaced -between the apertures I8 and along the same circumferential line. The apertures 2U are internally threaded for receiving the threaded The radial flange Il of the brake drum II is, of course, suitably apertured opposite the threaded apertures I8 and 20 of the radial hub flange I5 in order to permit the mounting bolts I9 and 2I .to pass therethrough. The hub I0 is provided with the usual tapered bore (not shown) to receive the complementary end of the vehicle axle (not The body part I2 of the wheel extends ob-` liquely forwardly and radially outwardly from the radial flange 23 as at 21. The forward end of the oblique portion l'I merges into a substantially radial portion 28. Extending from the outer edge of the radial portion 28 is an obliquely rearwardly and radially outwardly extending portion 29 which is turned axially rearwardly at its outer end to form an axial shoulder or ange 30 which is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the rim I3.

The radial portion 28 of the wheel body part v, I2 is shapedto form a recess or groove 3l, the groove 3l being defined by a radial wall 32 and an oblique forwardly and radially outwardly extending wall 33. This groove' 3 I as will presently appear, provides a novel seating arrangement for the wheel disk.- The drop-c nter rim I3 is 4of theusual form. and include a base flange 34 opposite intermediate side anges 35, opposite intermediate baseflanges 36, and opposite edge portions 31. The drop-center rim I3- is of well known design and, as is well known to those skilled in the art, is arranged to seat and accommodate a pneumatic tire.

Disposed over. the front face ofthe wheel assembly is an ornamental sheet metal wheel disk I4"`which extends substantially ove the entire outer surface. of the wheel and terminates in proximity to the intermediate outer base flange portion 39, and an outer convex ring portion 4I).v

At thejunction point of the intermediate body disk on the wheel. The term lift spring is` employed to indicate that form of fastening iin- 'ger or spring which enables the wheel disk or portion 39 and the outer ring portion 48, an

integral obliquely rearwardly and radially outwardly folded fastening ange 4I is provided. The outer edge of the ring portion 4|D of the wheel disk I4 is curled, as at 42, and is arranged to be seated on the intermediate base flange 36 of the rim I3..

In addition to the integral folded fastening ilange 4I, a second fasteningilange and wheel disk seating means 43 is provided on the wheel disk I4. The flange or skirt member 431 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the wheel disk I4, preferably in proximity to the junction of the crown portion 38 and Ithe intermediate body portion 39 of the wheel disk I4, as at' 44.y

@From this point, the flange or skirt 43 extends rearwardly and slightly outwardly, as at 45, and thereafter mergesinto an enlarged beaded por' tion 46, which 'is arranged to be seated in the channel or groove 3| in the body part I2 of the' wheel. The ange or skirt 43 continues obliquely rearwardly and radially inwardly from the bead-A ed portion 46 in a fastening skirt portion 41, which is terminated in an. underturned rear edge 48.

Dual means are provided for detachably se-` as at 5I), an interm ate bodyportion 5|-, which -extends forwardly from the base portion 49 and then obliquely forwardly and radially outwardly, and terminates in anobliqu'ely inwardly turned forward end portion 52.. As -the wheel disk I4 is moved 'into position on thevehicle wheel, the

other cover member to be readily and easily snapped thereover, but which requires a relatively great force to effect a disengagement between the wheel disk or cover member and the spring, due to the fact that in order to disengage the wheel disk therefrom, the outer end of the spring is literally lifted outwardly with the wheel disk as the removal force is initially applied, thereby causing a greater and greater fonce resistingv outward movement of the wheel disk until a critical point is passed in the disk and the disk snaps free of the spring. This form of spring andV spring action isV described and broadly claimed in my co-pending application for Ornamental wheel disk and means for mounting same, Serial No. 156,279, led July 29, 1937.

Referring now `to the particular form of lift springshown in Figures 2 and 3 `of the drawings,`

slightly curved or convexed .in configuration.`

The rear end of the body portion 56 is termiportion 25 of the wheel,

7underturnedA edge 48 engages the forward end '52 of the springs 26, causingvthem to be cammed under the Vunderturned edge 48 until the high nated in an obliquely rearwardly and radially outwardly extending end portion I51, which is disposed substantially at right angles to the body portion 56. The end portion 51 is arranged to engage the folded flange 4I of the wheel disk I4. As the wheel disk I4 is moved into position on a vehicle wheel, it will be understood, that the flange 4I rst engages the1 body portion 56 of the spring 53, causing the same to flex radially outwardly until the high portion of the spring 53 at the junction of portions 56 and 51 passes over the outermost edge of the fastening flange 4I. Thereafter the end portion 51 of spring 5 3 snaps in behind the, fastening'fi'ange 4I to retain the same in desired position on the vehicle wheel.

. When it is desired to remove the wheel disk I4 from the wheel, a .tire tool, screw driver, or other similar tool is inserted between the outer edge 42 of the wheel disk i4 and the tire rim I3, and a sharp outward force is given the wheel -disk I4. As the aange portion 4| nst starts to move outwardly, the end portion 51 of the spring 53 is lifted or carried along therewith, there being a flexing of the spring at the junction of portions 56 and 54 and also a bending or flexing of the spring 53 throughout an intermediate portion of the curved body portion 56. After the spring has passed a critical point, the wheel disk I4 will snap clear of the spring 53 with conslderable force.

Throughout the disengaging movement of the wheel disk I4 with the annular series of lift spring elements 58, the inner series of plain spring elements 26 are alobecoming disengaged from the underturnedV edge 48 of the skirt 48 by tain a frictional engagement with the under-v turned edge 48 of the fasteningskirt 43,' for they do not engage the wheel disk I4 in a manner to provide a lift spring action.

The use of a dual set of wheel disk fastening elements to secure a wheel disk to a vehicle wheel provides a more rigid mounting for the wheel assembly. The outer annular series of wheel disk fastening elements provides substantially a positive locking engagement of the wheel disk I4 on the vehicle wheel, while the inner annular series of friction fastening fingers 26 hold the central crownl portion 38 of the wheel disk I4 in fixed position with the large annular bead por.- tion 46 of the fastening skirt 43 firmly and snugly seated in the grooved portion 3l of the body part I2 of the wheel. Due to theV fact thatl the grooved portion 3I of the body part I2 ,includes a wall portion which extends obliquely radially outwardly and axially forwardly, transverse movement or transverse vibration of the central portion of the wheel disk I4 is substantially eliminated. As may be seen best \in Figure 3 of the drawings, the inturned curled outer edge 42 of the ring portion 49 of' the wheel disk I4v is arranged to engage and bear against the outer base flange 36 ofthe rim I3 in a radial direction and is also arranged to abut against the axial outermost portion of each spring fastening element53, as at 58.

In Figure 4 of the drawings, I have illustrated a modified form of the invention, and more particularly, I have illustrated a modified form of lift spring and ring portion abutting element. I n this embodiment of the invention, a lift springv 59 is provided, which includes a base portion 60 riveted or. otherwise suitably secured to the intermediate side flange 35 of the rim I3, as at 6I. Extending axially forwardly from the radial inner edge of the base portion 60 isa main body portion 62. A second body portion 63 extends obliquely axially rearwardly and radially inwardly from the forward extremities of the portion 59 and terminates in an obliquely axially rearwardly and radially outwardly turned portion 64, which extends substantially at right angles to the portion 63. The portion 64 is arranged to engage the folded fastening edge or' flange 4I of the wheel disk -I4 in the same manner that the end portions 51A of the springs 53 engage the folded edge 4I in the first embodiment of theinvention.

vIn connection with the lift spring instratd in Figure 4, it will be understood that the lift spring action is obtained by virtue of the fact that the spring 59 is lifted or moved -bodily outing the removal action, the spring elements 59 ex at .the junctionf'of the portion 63 with the portion 62 and also at thev junction of the portion 62 with the base portion 60.

to bear against the intermediate base flange 36 of the rim I3, but is arranged to directly bear against the outer end 66 of the tail portion 65 of the spring elements 59 and slightly compress 'the `saine so that an axially outwardly biasing force is applied tothe outer portion of the wheel disk I4 to prevent the same from vibrating or rattling. The remainder of the wheel disk I4 is Athe same as that shown in Figures l. and 2 of the The lift spring elements 59 also include a tail portion which extends axially-forwardly from the radial outer edge ofl the base portion 60 in a somewhat zig zag manner as Shown and tervminates in a radially inwardly turned forward edge 66. In this form of the invention, the ring portion 40 of the wheel disk I4 is not arranged drawings.

- In Figure 5 of the drawings I have illustrated a further modified form of lift spring and a slightly different form of wheel body part.- I2

on the wheel. More specifically, the wheel body part I2 is provided with an annular series of apertures 61 at the junction of the oblique portion 29 with the axially extending shoulder portion 30 of the body part I2. A plurality of lift springs 68vare mounted on the wheel corresponding in number to the apertures 61. Each lift spring 68 vincludes a base portion or tail 69 which extends through an aperture 61 and. is seated on the radial Vinner surface of the portion 30 of the body part I2 of the wheel. The tail or baselportion 69 of the spring element 68 is riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the wheel assembly such, for example, as by means of rivets 10. The spring 68 extends obliquely forwardly and radially outwardly from the forward edge of the base portion 69 as at 1I, and then axially. forwardly and slightly radially inwardly as at 1 2, then obliquely radially inwardly and axially rearwardly as at 13, and finally obliquely rearwardly and radially outwardly, as at 14. The portion 14 is arranged to extend substantially right angles to the portion 13 and engages the folded flange 4I to substantially hold the wheel disk I4 in desired position on the wheel.

The lift spring action inthe form of the invention shown in Figure 5 is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 4, the points of flexure of the spring elements 68 during the removal of the wheel disk I4 from the wheel being at thejunction of portion 13 with 12 and at the junction of the portion 12 with the portion 1I. In this form of the invention, the outer curled edge 42 of the ring portion 40 of the wheel disk I4 isarranged to bear against the outer intermediate base flange 36 of the rim I3 in the same manner asv that .described in connection with Figures 1 to 3.

In Figure 6 of the drawings, I have illustrated a further embodiment of my invention wherein the lift springs are secured to the oblique portion 29 of the body part I2 of the wheel. specically, an annular series of lift springs 15 are provided, each of which has a tail portion 16 that is riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the oblique portion 39 of the body part I2 of the wheel, as at 11. From the base portion 16,

-the spring 15 i's curled radially outwardly, and

then forwardly in a curved body portion 16 and is -then bent radially inwardly and axially rearwardly, as at 11. The inner end of the portion 11 merges into an obliquely axially rearwardly and radially outwardly portion 18, which extends substantially at right angles to the portion 11. The portion 18 is arranged to extend behind the folded portion 4I o f the wheel disk I4 to detachably hold the same in place on the wheel. The curled outer edge 42 of the ring portion 46 of the wheel disk I4 abuts and bears against the intermediate outerbase flange 36 of the rim I3 in the samevmanner as that described in con- More nectionwith that described in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings.

In Figure '7 of the drawings, I have illustrated a different embodiment of the present invention, wherein a hub cap is mounted on a vehicle wheel rather than a complete wheel disk. In this embodiment of the invention, the inner series of fastening lingers -26 have been eliminated, and

only a single set of lift springs 29 are employed.

More specifically, an annular series of lift springs 19 are provided, each having a base portion 88 which is riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the body part I2 of a vehicle wheel, as at 8|. Each lift spring 19 extends forwardly from the -radial inner edge of the base portion 88 in a main body portion 82 and then radially outwardly and axially rearwardly, as at 83, and finally axially rearwardly and radially inwardly, as at 84. The

spring 19 also includes a V-shaped tail portion 85, as is clearly shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. A hub cap 86 provided, which includes a central crown or dome shaped portion 81 and an outer` ring portion 88, which is terminated in a curled outer edge 89, which bears against the outer.y slope of the V-shaped portion 85 of the spring element 19. The crown portion 81 and the outer 'ring portion 88 of the hub cap or small wheel disk 88 are joined by a rearwardly extending tightly folded portion 98, which is inturned at its rearward end to form a fastening edge 9| for engagement with the end portion 84 of the spring element 19.

As the hub cap 86 is moved into position on the wheel, the edge 9|' of the skirt 98 engages the spring portion 83 and causes a flexure thereof radially inwardly until the edge 9| passes overI the high point of the spring, as defined by the junction of the spring portion 83 with the end portion 84. Thereafter, the end portion 84 snaps l up behind the edge 9| ofthe skirt `98 to hold the same in desired position on the wheel. When a removal force is applied to the hub cap 86 and the skirt 98 starts to move outwardly away from the wheel, the end portion 84 of the spring 19 is lifted or carried along with the edge 9| of the skirt 98 for a slight distance until a critical point is passed, at which time the hub cap 86 'will snap free and clear of the spring'elements 19. During the lift action of the spring elements 19, these elements are flexing at the' junction of the portion 83 with the portion 82 and also at the junction of the portion 82 with the base portion 88 Vof the spring I19.

It will, ofcourse, be understood that the V- shaped tail portion 85 of the spring elements 19 serve to assist in centering the hub cap B6 on the wheel as well as to provide a suitable seat for the outer edge 89- of the hub'cap 86 and prevent lateral or transverse vibration of the hub cap when mounted on the wheel.

In Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings I have illustrated a modified form of my invention as shown in Figures 1 to 3, particularly with respect to the rearwardly extending central skirt 43 and also with' respect to the lift spring retaining ngers, which engage the outer portion of the wheel disk. Portions of the wheel assembly in Figures Sand 9'which are similar to portions in Figures r1 to 3, have been given corresponding reference characters in order to simplify the illustration and description of this embodiment of the invention.-

The wheel disk I4 in this embodiment of the invention is provided with a rearwardly extending skirt 43 having a curled portion 92 which is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the rear face of the wheel disk I4 at the outer edge of the crown portion 38. 'I'he skirt 43 includes a main body portion 93 which extends substantially axially rearwardly and is disposed radially inwardly in spaced relation to the oblique portion 2-1 of the wheel body part I2.

93 for engagement with the retaining fingers 26. The remaining portion of the wheel disk I4 is substantially the same as that described in connection with Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings with.

the exception that the outer curled edge 42 of the ring portion 48 is slightly spaced from the intermediate base flange 36.

Secured to the outer intermediate side flange of the rim I3 is an annular series of lift springs 95, each of which includes a base portion 96 riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the outer intermediate side ange 35, as at 91, and an axially forwardly extending body portion 98, which is turned axially rearwardly and radially inwardly as at 99, at its forward end, and then axially rearwardly and radially outwardly in an end portion |88. The end portion |88 is arranged to engage the folded flange or edge 4| of the wheel disk I4 in the same manner as that described in connection with Figure 4 of the drawings. The spring elements 95 also include a tail portion |8| which is seated on the radial inward surface of the outer intermediate base flange 36 of the rim I3 and is provided with an inturned forward end |62 against which the linturned outer edge 42 of the wheel disk I4 bears. The remainder of the wheel assembly of Figures 8 and 9 is substantially the same as that illustrated and described in mediate side flange 35, as at |85.

|86 -which'extends forwardly from the radial outer edge of the base portion |84 and an radially inwardly and axially forwardly extending portion |81. The inner end of the portion |81 is bent axially rearwardly and radially inwardly, as at |88, and Athen axially rearwardly land radially outwardly, as at |89. The portion |89 engages the folded edge 4| of the wheel disk |4- in the same manner as that described in connection with Figures 8 and 9 of' the drawings. The' outer inturned edge 42 of the ring portion 48 of the wheel disk I4 is equipped with a cushioning bead I|8 formed of any suitable material, such as rubber, for bearing against the portion |81 of each spring elementl |83. The cushioning ring ||0 is provided with substantially a gure 8 cross-sectional configuration, the smaller p ortion of which is crimped within the curled outer edge 42. fI'he remainderof the wheel assembly is the same as that described in connectionwith Figures 8'and 9 of the drawings.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will, of course, be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto, since many modifications maybe made, and I therefore contemplate by the appended claims to coverI all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of'my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. For disposition on a wheel of the type having An underturned. edge 94 is provided at the rear end of the portion said intermediate and outer ring portions being connected by an integral rearwardly extending folded ange and said crown portion having a rearwardly extending skirt member secured thereto, said foldediiange ,and said skirt beingarranged to be engaged by said concentric rows of attaching elements.

3. For disposition on a wheel of the type having concentric annular rows of attaching elements, a wheel disk comprising a crown portion, an intermediate ring portion and an outer ring portion, said intermediate and outer ring portions being connected by an integral rearwardlyv extending folded flange and said crown portion having a rearwardly extending skirt member secured thereto, said foldedflange and said skirt being arranged to be engaged by said concentric rows of attaching elements, and an intermediate annular portion of said skirt being shaped and arranged to be seated on said wheel.

4. For disposition on a wheel of the type having concentric annular rows of attaching elements,

a wheel disk comprising a crown portion, an inv termediate ring portion and an outer ring portion, said intermediate and outer ring portions being connected by an integral rearwardly extending folded ange and said crown portion having a rearwardly extending skirt member secured thereto, said folded fiange and said skirt Abeing arranged to be engaged by said concentric rows of attaching elements and said skirt haivng a i relatively large raised beaded portion disposed intermediate Vits inner and outer extremities to be seated on said wheel.

5. In combination with a vehicle wheel having a body part, an annular intermediate portion of which is bulged axially outwardly, said bulged portion having anannular grooved portion therein facing axially outwardly, a wheel disk having a rearwardly extending skirt, an intermediate portion of which is arranged to be seated in said grooved portion.

6. In combination with a vehicle wheel having a body part, an annular intermediate portion of which is bulged axially outwardly, said bulged portion having an annular grooved portion therein facing axially outwardly, a wheel disk having a rearwardly extending skirt, an intermediate portion of which is arranged to be seated in said grooved portion, the portion of said skirt disposed axially rearwardly of said intermediate portion being shaped. to extend into said wheel past said bulged portion.

7. In combination with a vehicle wheel having a protruding outer face provided with an annular grooved portion therein, a wheel disk having a rearwardly extending skirt, an intermediate portion of which is arranged to be seated in said grooved portion, the portion of said skirt disposed axially rearwardlvpf said intermediate portion being shaped to extend ,into said wheel past said protruding outer face, and be terminated in a curled inner edge, and a plurality of resilient fastening ngers on said wheel for frictionally engaging said curled inner edge.

8. As an article of manufacture, a lift spring comprising a base portion, a second portion extending from one end of and at substantially a right angle to said base portion then being bent obliquely backwardly on itself away from said base portion and terminating in an end portion bent substantially at right angles to said last portion and toward said base portion, and a third portion extending from the opposite end of said base portion in spaced relationship to said second portion and terminating in a turned end.

9. In a wheel assembly including a wheel comprising rim and body parts, and a wheel disk for disposition over an outer face thereof, wheel disk attaching means comprising a,v base portion secured to said wheel, a lift spring portion extending from said base portion and detachably securing said disk to said wheel, and a disk aligning portion connected to and extending from said base portion into abutting engagement with said disk at a point spaced from the point at which said lift spring portion makes a detachable securing engagement with said disk.

10. In a wheel assembly including a wheel comprising rim and body parts, and a wheel disk for disposition over an outer face thereof, wheel disk attaching means ,comprising a base portion secured to said wheel, a lift spring portion detachably securing said disk to said wheel, and a exible portion connected to and extending from said base portion and arranged to align said disk in desired position for engagement with said lift spring portion.

11. For disposition on a wheel of the type having concentric annular rows of wheel disk retaining elements, a wheell disk comprising a crown portion, an intermediate ring portion and an outer ring portion, said outer ring portion" being of concave-convex cross section and having inside thereof shoulder means for engagement with the elements of one of said rows, said intermediate and outer ring portions being connected by an integral rearwardly extending folded flange, and said crown portion having a rearwardly extending skirt connected thereto and formed to be engaged by the elements of the other of said rows.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON. 

